St. John's Catholic Church (Worcester, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. John`s Catholic Church
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 44 Temple St., Worcester, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1845 |
| Architect | P.W. Ford |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| MPS | Worcester MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000619 |
| Added to NRHP | March 05, 1980 |
St. John's Catholic Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a very old and important Roman Catholic church. It was started in 1834, making it the oldest Catholic church in Worcester. It's also the oldest Catholic church in all of New England (except for Boston!). The beautiful church building you see today was built in 1845. On March 5, 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a special historical landmark.
Contents
A Look Back: St. John's History
How St. John's Began
Many Catholic people started moving to the Worcester area around 1826. Most of them were Irish people who came to help build railroads and the Blackstone Canal. When they first arrived, there were no Catholic priests or churches for them.
All the churches in the area were Protestant. So, a local citizen named Robert Laverty asked Bishop Benedict Fenwick of Boston to send a priest to Worcester. They wanted a priest to hold Mass, which is a Catholic church service.
Because of this request, Father James Fitton from Boston began visiting Worcester once a month in 1834. He helped start a church on Front Street, which was called "Christ's Church." This first building was finished in 1836. It served as a church, a home for the priest (a rectory), a Sunday school, and even a small hospital (an infirmary).
After about 2,000 people joined the church, a bigger building was needed. The church building that is still used today was built at 44 Temple Street in 1845. It was officially named in honor of St. John in 1846.
Besides the church, Father Fitton also started Mount Saint James Seminary. This school later became the College of the Holy Cross in 1839. A group called the Society of Jesus (also known as the Jesuits) bought the school in 1843. They still own and run the college today.
From 1836 to 1848, the Penobscot Indians from Maine would visit St. John's Church every winter.
Becoming a "Mother Church"
The current building where the priests live (the presbytery) was built in 1865. In 1870, the Diocese of Springfield was created. Father Patrick T. O'Reilly, who was the priest at St. John's, became the first Bishop of Springfield. He made the presbytery at St. John's the main office (the chancery) for the Springfield Diocese, even though he was still the pastor at St. John's.
Later, in 1950, the Worcester Diocese was created. St. John's was (and still is) known as "The Mother Church of the Diocese." However, because of its beautiful design, St. Paul's Parish on Chatham Street was chosen to be the main church (the cathedral) for the Worcester Diocese.
Special Traditions
- A special prayer event called a Novena of Grace has been held every year from March 4th to 12th since 1922. It honors St. Francis Xavier.
- The first charismatic prayer group in Worcester started meeting at St. John's in 1970. This group is still active today.
"Preserve the Flame" Project
In 2004, during Labor Day weekend, a part of the church's ceiling fell into the main worship area (the sanctuary). It damaged the altar and the baptistry (where baptisms happen). For a short time, Mass was held outside on the church lawn. Then, services moved to a sister church nearby.
Later, masses were held in the church's basement, which was a smaller space. Big events like Confirmation and First Communion had to be moved to St. Paul's Cathedral so everyone could fit.
Repairs to the church were finished in September 2005. A special Mass to celebrate the church's reopening was held on October 15, 2005. Bishop Robert J. McManus led this important service.
Church Design and Features
The church building looks a bit like a Baptist or Puritan church. This might make visitors think it's a Protestant church at first glance. The tall steeple you see today was added in 1951. The brick walls have been there since the church was built in 1846.
The inside walls have been repainted several times, most recently in 2005. The main seating area has 50 rows of 4 pews, which can hold about 1,000 people. There's also a special section for people with disabilities. In the balcony area above the main floor, there are more pews that can hold another 1,000 people. This means the church can hold a total of 2,000 people and 100 musicians!
In the sanctuary, the main altar (called the high altar) is in the center. Behind it is where the Blessed Sacrament is kept. The original altar, used for the old Tridentine Mass, holds the tabernacle. It is built in a Romanesque style, which is a classic, old design. The pulpit (where the priest gives sermons) is to the left of the altar. The priest's chair is on the right.
To the left of the altar, there is a special shrine dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. You might also see statues of other saints like St. Francis Xavier and St. Theresa there. To the right, there is a baptistry dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The floor in this area is made of beautiful hardwood.
Staff Members
- Rev. John F. Madden, Pastor
- Rev. Richard A. Jakubauskas, Lithuanian Chaplain
- Msgr. Edmond T. Tinsley, Assisting Priest
- Dianne Gustowski, Religious Education Coordinator
- Dr. Sean Redrow, Organist and Director of Music Ministry
- David M. Moulton, Organist and Asst. Director of Music Ministry
- Lucia Clemente Falco, Organist
- John LeDoux, Musician
- Jane Rabion, Safe Environment Coordinator
- Jean Grenier, Altar Server Director Emeritus
See Also
- List of Catholic churches in the United States
- National Register of Historic Places listings in northwestern Worcester, Massachusetts
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Worcester County, Massachusetts
